THE new Roots 'n' Boots Cafe in Ellesmere Port will officially open at 8am tomorrow.

Based at 41 Marina Drive, it will offer youngsters their first taste of paid work in catering and retail and place the emphasis on locally-grown, quality, fresh food and customer service. Adults have been hired to support them.

Manager Suzanne Iuppa said: 'We have based the menu on market research done over years with Port Arcades shoppers and workers in the town centre.

'There are sandwiches and main meals, both meat-based and vegetarian, in the £3-£4 range.'

The youngsters involved, who have not been achieving in mainstream education, joined Roots 'n' Boots in exchange for taking up an alternative education programme.

Aged from 13-17, they have just finished a rigorous training course with head chef Adrian Coles, learning about food hygiene and preparation, baking and customer service.

Adrian said: 'The youngsters are now ready to deliver a quality product. Some of them will progress to catering college, I can see their potential.

'Even if they don't, the paid work gives them structure and discipline.'

The cafe is open from 8am-7pm, Mondays to Saturdays. For details, call Adrian on 0151 356 2550.